20 # Bottle

NoBozo · 07-09-2017, 06:02 PM

I have been using my BBQ for decades..currently a Weber Spirit. When the bottle is near empty..it weighs in at 18 pounds..maybe slightly less. When the bottle is getting low I weigh it on my digital bathroom scale. Don't want to get caught empty in the middle of a meal.

All's well. The other day I went to my Propane supplier for the last 30+ years . While charging the bottle..The guy doing the recharge put a screwdriver to a little "blead screw" on the side of the bottle valve. Never noticed this procedure before. I asked him about it and didn't get much of an answer.

When I got home I weighed the "Full" bottle. (Never done that before) It weighed 35.2 pounds. My impression was it should weigh 38+ pounds. 18 pounds for the empty bottle + 20 pounds for the propane.

Is this Normal..?

NB

Hillcountry · 07-10-2017, 08:34 AM

I believe it's general practice to fill propane tanks (large and small) to about 80% capacity. Not sure if this is for safety or that it's a law but my twin 250 gallon tanks are never filled more than 75-80%.
As for the 20 lb. grill tanks, I always have a full one on hand as a backup in case I run out while grilling...never cared about how much propane was inside...

joey2665 · 07-10-2017, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

I believe it's general practice to fill propane tanks (large and small) to about 80% capacity. Not sure if this is for safety or that it's a law but my twin 250 gallon tanks are never filled more than 75-80%.
As for the 20 lb. grill tanks, I always have a full one on hand as a backup in case I run out while grilling...never cared about how much propane was inside...

You are correct the 75-80% allows for the expansion and contraction of the propane with changing temperatures.

DickR · 07-10-2017, 10:57 AM

When you think about it, you don't want the liquid level too close to the outlet. You want vapor going out the pipe to the grill, not a slug of liquid, which would provide a sudden surge of fuel to the grill, maybe blowing flame all over your face!

TheProfessor · 07-10-2017, 12:35 PM

Understand the point of the post is about weights and mathematics.

The place I go to uses both a scale and a unit counter. Gallons I think.

The screw I think is to let excess air out. But let other chime in on that.

Me, I have an extra full tank. So don't have to worry if grille tank runs out while cooking.

RUGMAN · 07-10-2017, 05:27 PM

seems like when we swap one out at cumberland (blue rhino), there is even less propane in them than when I get the tanks filled back home.

thinkxingu · 07-10-2017, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUGMAN

seems like when we swap one out at cumberland (blue rhino), there is even less propane in them than when I get the tanks filled back home.

Yup, Blue Rhino only fills it 75% or so to be "extra safe."

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NoBozo · 07-10-2017, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

The screw I think is to let excess air out. But let other chime in on that.

Me, I have an extra full tank. So don't have to worry if grille tank runs out while cooking.

I think you are correct about bleeding off AIR at the top of the bottle. We always keep a spare bottle. I guess using my bathroom scale to weigh the bottle is a bit Anal...that's me..

NB

PS: NEVER lay the bottle on it's side..Always keep it VERTICAL while transporting the bottle in your car.

SteveO123 · 07-10-2017, 06:39 PM

Last time i got Blue Rhino they advertised it as 15#. I thought I was getting ripped off but maybe it was just truth in advertising! And it was actually on the 4th of July last year, 2/3 of the way into the cookout! Be prepared! I learned my lesson and keep the spare "full" or at least 3/4!

SIKSUKR · 07-11-2017, 09:47 AM

Here is a real thorough explanation. Cant confirm if its correct but it seems reasonable.
http://modernsurvivalblog.com/preps/...ank-really-is/

DickR · 07-11-2017, 10:42 AM

Let's examine the numbers on that URL Siksukr cited. The WC (water capacity) of the tank shown is 47.6 lb of water, specific gravity 1.0 at room temperature. At 77 F, propane's density is 0.493 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propane). Full of propane, the contents would weigh 47.6 * 0.493/1.0 = 23.47 lb. The 42% of WC regulation would allow for 20.0 lb, which is 85% of propane capacity. The numbers all agree.

upthesaukee · 07-11-2017, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveO123

Last time i got Blue Rhino they advertised it as 15#. I thought I was getting ripped off but maybe it was just truth in advertising! And it was actually on the 4th of July last year, 2/3 of the way into the cookout! Be prepared! I learned my lesson and keep the spare "full" or at least 3/4!

I had a friend who had Blue Rhino tank exchange at his store. When I said that could come in handy if I ran out when the refill stations were closed (he was opened until 9pm). He told me how Blue Rhino was only filled with 15 lbs, and if I ever did run out, grab a tank at his house because BR was a ripoff. What seems like a good idea on the isn't.
Dave

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bilproject · 07-12-2017, 09:07 AM

The screw the filler opened is an outage gauge. It is connected to a tube in the valve that goes down to the 85% level. Gas will come out at first and when liquid reaches the end of the tube a white fog will appear out of the small hole to the outside of the valve telling the filler that the tank is full. However, all 20# tanks that are legal to fill today have an auto stop fill feature that will stop the filling at 85% or less. Sort of an idiot proof system to prevent overfills which could cause the relief valve to open if the tank became liquid full and the pressure inside reached 250 psi. There is never air in a propane tank except when new. a new tank must be purged of air before filling. If air and gas were mixed it could explode although unlikely as propane's range of flammability is about 1.9 to 2.4%.

07-09-2017, 06:02 PM	#1
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	20 # Bottle I have been using my BBQ for decades..currently a Weber Spirit. When the bottle is near empty..it weighs in at 18 pounds..maybe slightly less. When the bottle is getting low I weigh it on my digital bathroom scale. Don't want to get caught empty in the middle of a meal. All's well. The other day I went to my Propane supplier for the last 30+ years . While charging the bottle..The guy doing the recharge put a screwdriver to a little "blead screw" on the side of the bottle valve. Never noticed this procedure before. I asked him about it and didn't get much of an answer. When I got home I weighed the "Full" bottle. (Never done that before) It weighed 35.2 pounds. My impression was it should weigh 38+ pounds. 18 pounds for the empty bottle + 20 pounds for the propane. Is this Normal..? NB

07-11-2017, 09:47 AM	#10
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Tanks are limited to 42% of liquid weight Here is a real thorough explanation. Cant confirm if its correct but it seems reasonable. http://modernsurvivalblog.com/preps/...ank-really-is/ __________________ SIKSUKR

07-10-2017, 08:34 AM	#2
Hillcountry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: In the hills Posts: 2,420 Thanks: 1,677 Thanked 786 Times in 466 Posts	I believe it's general practice to fill propane tanks (large and small) to about 80% capacity. Not sure if this is for safety or that it's a law but my twin 250 gallon tanks are never filled more than 75-80%. As for the 20 lb. grill tanks, I always have a full one on hand as a backup in case I run out while grilling...never cared about how much propane was inside...

07-10-2017, 10:57 AM	#4
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 751 Thanks: 4 Thanked 259 Times in 171 Posts	When you think about it, you don't want the liquid level too close to the outlet. You want vapor going out the pipe to the grill, not a slug of liquid, which would provide a sudden surge of fuel to the grill, maybe blowing flame all over your face!

07-10-2017, 12:35 PM	#5
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,125 Thanks: 17 Thanked 345 Times in 208 Posts	Understand the point of the post is about weights and mathematics. The place I go to uses both a scale and a unit counter. Gallons I think. The screw I think is to let excess air out. But let other chime in on that. Me, I have an extra full tank. So don't have to worry if grille tank runs out while cooking.

07-10-2017, 05:27 PM	#6
RUGMAN Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: weirs beach, Posts: 304 Thanks: 39 Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts	seems like when we swap one out at cumberland (blue rhino), there is even less propane in them than when I get the tanks filled back home.

07-10-2017, 06:39 PM	#9
SteveO123 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Laconia, Lake Opechee Posts: 187 Thanks: 286 Thanked 90 Times in 48 Posts	Last time i got Blue Rhino they advertised it as 15#. I thought I was getting ripped off but maybe it was just truth in advertising! And it was actually on the 4th of July last year, 2/3 of the way into the cookout! Be prepared! I learned my lesson and keep the spare "full" or at least 3/4!

07-11-2017, 10:42 AM	#11
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 751 Thanks: 4 Thanked 259 Times in 171 Posts	Let's examine the numbers on that URL Siksukr cited. The WC (water capacity) of the tank shown is 47.6 lb of water, specific gravity 1.0 at room temperature. At 77 F, propane's density is 0.493 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propane). Full of propane, the contents would weigh 47.6 * 0.493/1.0 = 23.47 lb. The 42% of WC regulation would allow for 20.0 lb, which is 85% of propane capacity. The numbers all agree.

07-12-2017, 09:07 AM	#13
bilproject Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bear Island/Fort Myers, Fla Posts: 230 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 59 Times in 41 Posts	The screw the filler opened is an outage gauge. It is connected to a tube in the valve that goes down to the 85% level. Gas will come out at first and when liquid reaches the end of the tube a white fog will appear out of the small hole to the outside of the valve telling the filler that the tank is full. However, all 20# tanks that are legal to fill today have an auto stop fill feature that will stop the filling at 85% or less. Sort of an idiot proof system to prevent overfills which could cause the relief valve to open if the tank became liquid full and the pressure inside reached 250 psi. There is never air in a propane tank except when new. a new tank must be purged of air before filling. If air and gas were mixed it could explode although unlikely as propane's range of flammability is about 1.9 to 2.4%.